During a recent city council meeting, resident Thomas Hanson raised concerns regarding councilwoman Neal's comments about presidential candidate Donald Trump, claiming they violated Iowa Campaign Ethics and Finance Committee rules. Hanson highlighted that Neal publicly encouraged constituents not to vote for Trump, which he argued was a breach of campaign ethics. He stated that he has reported the incident to the ethics committee, which has initiated an investigation.

Hanson criticized the mayor, city administrator, and city attorney for their silence during Neal's remarks, suggesting that their inaction contradicted previous court rulings that restricted political expressions on city property. He referenced a past trial where the city had removed political stickers, questioning the inconsistency in how political speech is managed.

Additionally, Hanson addressed the city's flag policy, implying that the council's handling of political expressions could undermine their regulations. He warned that if the council does not address these issues, he would challenge the flag policy in court next year. The meeting underscored ongoing tensions surrounding political speech and ethics within the city, particularly as the election approaches.